Your parish community is pleased to share this special time in your young person’s life and in the life of your family. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated in the same year but always before First Holy Communion, helping children experience the fullness of God’s mercy and love before receiving Jesus in the Eucharist.

Children and their family prepare for these sacraments through either the Holy Spirit Parish Faith Formation Program or Holy Spirit School. While all students at Holy Spirit School learn about the Catholic faith and participate in many shared traditions, not every child will take part in sacramental preparation or celebrations. These events are designed especially for children whose families identify as Catholic. For families who are not Catholic, participation isn’t required.

If a child is to prepare to receive these sacraments, they should have at least one parent or guardian who is Catholic or actively seeking to enter the Catholic Church through a formal process called RCIA. This helps ensure the child’s formation is supported at home and that the promises made by parents at the celebration reflect the family’s shared faith journey.

CLICK HERE for First Reconciliation Info Packet

First Reconciliation: What is it?
God’s awesome gift to help us when we mess up. This Sacrament is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church in which the faithful are absolved from sins committed after baptism and they are reconciled with the Christian community. Not only does it free us from our sins but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us. We are liberated to be forgivers. We obtain new insight into the words of the Prayer of St. Francis: "It is in pardoning that we are pardoned." Click here for a good review of the Sacrament to help prepare your child...or mom and dad. Ha! 

The Big Day: First Reconciliation
First Reconciliation is typically celebrated in late January/early February of each year at Holy Spirit Parish in advance of receiving First Holy Communion. To enroll your child in the Faith Formation program and/or prepare for First Reconciliation and First Communion, please submit a registration form. If you have any questions, please reach out to Leah Ackley. Children must be baptized in the Catholic Church or have received a baptism that is recognized by the Catholic Church prior to.

If your child has not yet received the Sacrament of Baptism, please contact Leah Ackley as soon as possible. Together we will come up with a plan to ensure your child's Sacraments are celebrated.